Acts 16:25-26
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Perhaps you’ve never heard the story of Paul and Silas in prison (if thats the case, read verses 16-33). Here you have two men sitting in a prison cell. Their crime? Preaching the Gospel of Jesus. As they sit there in the middle of the night, surrounded by an audience of criminals and rats, they begin to sing praises to God. Through their praise, God moves and an earthquake shakes the prison, breaking their chains loose and unlocking the doors.
Often, during hard times, we get down, depressed, and cry out to God for help. We wait… and wait… and wait… We wonder why God’s not responding to our grumbling and complaining. Have you ever heard someone say they didn’t go to church because they “weren’t in the right mood”? Have you ever chosen not to participate in praise and worship because you didn’t want to “fake it”? In the midst of our turmoil is when God desires our praise most! It’s not hypocritical to worship God when you’re in a bad mood, it’s hypocritical to only worship Him when you’re in a GOOD mood!
What prison do you feel stuck in? Fear? Doubt? Anger? Lust? I challenge you today to starting lifting up some praise. Sing from your heart. Sing in the midst of the pain. Praise Him and watch your chains begin to break free!